TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) and Shanghai Vice Mayor Hua Yuan (華源) officially launched the "Taipei-Shanghai Twin-City Forum" (雙城論壇) on Tuesday (Dec. 17), fostering collaboration and dialogue despite bilateral tensions. The annual forum, held at the Regent Taipei, brought together hundreds of officials, businessmen, and media professionals from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to discuss "Smart governance, sustainable future" for their respective cities.
"Last year, our two cities signed MOUs regarding green energy sustainability, convention and exhibition marketing, badminton sports, and other cooperation agreements," said Shanghai Vice Mayor Hua Yuan. "We have actively implemented them and are hopeful they can promote exchanges and interactions in many fields." Over the past 14 years, the twin cities have signed 45 MOUs on various issues, ranging from E-ticket tech to elderly care and consumer rights protection. This year, they added two more MOUs addressing smart medical care and red panda conservation.
Inviting Cooperation and Tourism
Vice Mayor Hua Yuan extended a warm invitation to Taipei citizens and Taiwanese compatriots to visit Shanghai more often, expressing hope that Shanghai citizens can also visit Taipei and Taiwan more frequently. "To do so, Shanghai will actively promote group tours to Taiwan for Shanghai residents, and the tour itinerary will definitely include Taipei City," he added.
Mayor Chiang emphasized the importance of peace and communication, stating, "The road to peace may be winding, but it's worth the journey. We hope for more fishing boat lights to decorate the sunset and less clamor of ships and planes." He further expressed his desire to continue showing goodwill and engaging in communication rather than confrontation.
Tensions Persist Amid Cooperation
Despite the forum's success, tensions have remained high in Taiwan due to recent military movements from China, which nearly caused the event's cancellation. Wang Hsing-huan, chairman of the Taiwan Statebuilding Party, criticized the forum, stating, "The Taipei-Shanghai Twin-City Forum and the Chinese military planes in the sky that never stop, continue to threaten Taiwan's security. Though one is civil and the other is a military force, both have the same goal of annexing Taiwan."
Despite these challenges, both sides remain committed to fostering open and cooperative dialogue, emphasizing the potential benefits of collaboration despite bilateral tensions.